Martin Rocka and the Sick Shop are a 3 piece psychobilly band from Johannesburg. The band comprises the mysterious Martin Rocka on vocals and guitars, James Flames on bass guitar, and Boy McLeod on drums.
The band's unique sound combines classic rockabilly with psychedelia and lyrical fare devoted mostly to monster movies and swamp sex into an infectious and utterly tasteless conglomeration of trash culture.
Wrestling mask-wearing front man Martin Rocka cuts an enigmatic figure onstage. He combines lightning fast guitar licks with thunderous vocals to perform some of the most outrageous rockabilly ever seen. His true identity is a closely guarded secret, but he is rumored to converse with Elvis Presley on a nightly basis.
Martin Rocka and the Sick Shop released their first album “Product of Bad Breeding” in 2001. The single “Whale” received extensive night time airplay, while the cult surf guitar hit “Surf’s Up Part 1” was featured on numerous skate and surf videos.
Martin Rocka’s second album “Trailer Rash” was released in June 2003. The album featured 12 short, sharp tracks of rockabilly genius and gained him a fanatical following in the West Rand of Johannesburg, his home base.
With a fearsome live reputation, cemented by appearances at the Woodstock festivals and numerous underground performances in Gauteng, Martin Rocka and the Sick Shop are one of the mainstays of the new country and rockabilly sound that has hit Johannesburg in the past two years.
"...there isn't a single melody or hook that sounds ordinary or stale, and the album builds up an electricity both lavishly funereal and loony." - Damon Boyd, Sunday Times
"Do yourself a favour and get this album so you too can join the band in celebrating a little bit of filth and fury with a side portion of sin" Lloyd Gedge, Mail & Guardian
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